City: Kansas City, MO

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (816) 561-7136

Address: 910 W. 48th St. (Country Club Plaza)

Description: In 1996 JJ’s was one of only six restaurants worldwide to receive the Grand Award by Wine Spectator magazine. Although the list has grown, some say that Jimmy Frantze’s intimate bistro still offers the best wine list in town. It’s certainly the largest at 40,000 bottles. Do what locals do when it comes to JJ’s: look beyond the construction going on across the street because the food and wine collection are worth it. Dinner is served through the arched doorway where white linen–topped tables and tall plants divide the open space. Exuberant paintings by local artist Mike Savage add color to the walls. There’s colorful food as well, starting with Paco’s Shrimp, a savory appetizer of jumbo shrimp stuffed with a horseradish sauce, deep fried, and served with a mustard sauce and red-pepper coulis. The menu focuses on steaks, including a pan-seared filet medallion with a peppercorn and red wine cream sauce. JJ’s is open for lunch on weekdays and for dinner seven days a week.